Julia Papale

Associate Professional Clinical Counselor

Online therapy for women in California

About Julia Papale

Hi, I’m Julia, an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor supervised by Cyla Fisk, LMFT. Before moving back to my hometown of San Francisco, I lived in the hustle and bustle of NYC working first in the art world and then in the travel space. I love hiking, exploring the California coast, seeing live music, and spending time with my tribe of family and close friends.

My own healing work inspired me to become a therapist. The road was windy, and I felt discouraged at numerous points along the way. My hope is that I can walk alongside you on your path, calling upon my focused clinical training and my own life experience.

I love working with individual clients seeking a more meaningful connection to themselves, to others, and to the complex experience of being human. My specialties include family of origin and relational trauma, self-worth and self-esteem, relationship challenges, anxiety, binge eating and bulimia, and emotional regulation. Learn more about me in my Voyage LA article here and about my clinical expertise below.

“The most beautiful thing about growth is that it’s not about becoming something new; it’s about uncovering who you’ve always been.”

– Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis

emotionally focused therapist los angeles

Clinical Focus

I specialize in working with outwardly high-functioning women who feel anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected on the inside. My clients often appear composed and capable to the outside world, yet privately struggle with self-doubt, emotional flooding or shutdown, people-pleasing, and the exhausting pressure to keep it all together. Many have a history of relational or developmental trauma, and feel lost in their relationships, unsure of who they are outside of others' expectations.

My therapeutic style is warm, gentle, and depth-oriented. I support clients in coming back into their bodies, building internal safety, and reconnecting with their emotional truths at a sustainable pace. If you’re someone who tends to intellectualize your emotions, second-guess yourself, or look outside of yourself for validation, I offer a grounded space to begin unlearning those patterns—with compassion, not judgment.

I draw from trauma-informed modalities including AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), and I’m in training for EMDR. My work is also deeply influenced by Somatic and Parts Work approaches as well as the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) —tools I integrate to support nervous system regulation, emotional integration, and identity development.